Camp basics
Submitted: Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 19:47
ThreadID:
10527
Views:
3445
Replies:
10
FollowUps:
7
This Thread has been Archived
silvia
Hi all
I am travelling on the tarmac up the coast of WA to
Exmouth and then heading inland and down to Kal, snorkelling along the coast and seeing the sights next month.
My dilemma is this: I have nothing to go camping with! We are camping for about 3-4 weeks and will be in towns regularly however as we are on a tight budget (who isn't) planning to
camp in free areas and the odd caravan park. I haven't camped before and the partner hasn't for about 15 years =/
So far I have a 4 man tent on loan and a small BBQ with gas bottle. I read some info here and on the list of things to take so have things to buy like a
camp oven, water containers and that's kinda in control for now. I won't be camping again for a while afterwards but don't want to forget anything for this trip!
A couple questions:
Is it better to invest in a fridge (the plug in variety) and cryovac meat or don't worry about it and use a cooler and pick up meat as we go?
And is there somewhere that shows kpl for a standard 6cyl 2wd?
As the other half is down from Germany only for a month I really don't want to forget anything and now starting to panic *bites nails*
Thankies
sil
Reply By: Member - StevenL - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 23:10
Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 23:10
G'Day,
I go camping regularly but live in a flat so storage space for gear is limited. At the moment I am also only in a mid size
sedan so I have to be careful what I take.
Sounds like you have got the basics: Tent, BBQ, Water containers. I have bought a Weaco 40ltr fridge but only because I go regularly. It is a big investment if you don't get the use from it. An ice box should be OK for a once off trip as long as you ensure it is
well insulated and you don't open it up too often. I bought one of the cartridge gas stoves for $40 and several cans of butane for $2 each. They have lasted a couple of trips for boiling coffee water and veges.
You'll need something to sleep on in the tent. I got a double airbed. A folding
table or two is a essential. A comfy folding chair each is essential if you don't want a sore back from sitting on a log - about $50 bucks each buys good ones.
Then I got a couple of plastic tubs from Officeworks that just fit the boot of the car nicely. In one I put all the cooking gear, tea towels, dunny paper, cuos, plates, cutlery etc and in the other I put all the non-refrigerated food.
Got all that in the car. Off I go. The best way is just to walk through in your mind what you are likely to do and then note down anything you will need to do that task. EG: I will need to go for a leak at night, I will need to see where I am going so I will pack a torch!. The biggest one is cooking of course but if you approach it like this then you should not forget much.
Have a great time!
StevenLPlaydoe GXL TD Manual
It's on order, Delivery in April '04.
This
pic will have to do till then. Can't wait!!!
AnswerID:
46729
Follow Up By: silvia - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 23:38
Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 23:38
Thanks =) The tubs sound like a great idea and adding tea towels to the list. I've been looking at air mattresses and there are queen size velour ones with the pump built in, they look like they would do a good job and only about $70.
FollowupID:
308681
Follow Up By: Member - StevenL - Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 23:58
Saturday, Feb 14, 2004 at 23:58
The tubs stop all the small stuff from rolling around and getting lost in the car. Also when you get to a
camp site you can just lift the tubs out of the car and everything is right there next to where you are cooking. Also if you hit a decent pot hole and something liquid breaks then the plastic tub contains the mess.
Many 4WD's have drawer storage system built into them that costs hundreds of dollars. If you use the stackable tubs you get much the same effect for about $50! Not quite as good but not far off. I use the under-bed size ones that are only about 150mm deep but about 900mm long by 400mm wide. That way you can see whats in them without digging and they stack up in one half of the boot beside the fridge/esky in the other half of the boot. All the soft studd like tent, sleeping bags, pillows etc goes on the back
seat so that if you have a stack you don't get any heavy stuff in the back of the head.
The air mattress sounds like the same that I went with. Velour on top and vinyl underneath. About $60-70. Very comfy. I also got a small pump for $10 that runs off the cig lighter to blow it up, much easier!
StevenLPlaydoe GXL TD Manual
It's on order, Delivery in April '04.
This
pic will have to do till then. Can't wait!!!
FollowupID:
308684
Reply By: navaraman - Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 08:33
Sunday, Feb 15, 2004 at 08:33
I always pack a few packets of dried pasta, rice and noodle meals. The type were you just add water. If you ever get stuck for a few days, rain or vehicle
breakdown, you have something quick and convenient with you. My kids love them, I tend to keep them just in case.
From experience make sure you've got the can opener in your camping supplies,
mine always disappears or gets left behind.
AnswerID:
46752
Reply By: silvia - Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 00:31
Monday, Feb 16, 2004 at 00:31
Oh boy yes lol *makes note to pack can opener along with note about containers* I guess for the things I forget I can get them at shops along the way. Never knew you could hire this equipment and am ferreting the yellow pages directly, sounds ideal and thankyou for that =) Yes I am travelling from
Perth up to
Exmouth and then swinging in and down to Kalgoorlie and back to
Perth.
I know I sound awful but I really am quite excited about my first camping trip honest!!!
One more question - how do you get a shower curtain to work for a shower if you are using one of those black baggy types? I couldn't care less but the other half is a bit, ahem, shy ;)
Thanks ever so much for your help so far *s*
AnswerID:
46841